Black-out shade



Nov. 16, -1943.

. R. P. TAYLOR ETAL BLACKOUT SHADE Filed June 24, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. l6,` 1943.

BLACKOUT SHADE Filed June 24, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 M. .mgm .3io a x. 0 w@ Nm TME, P6. S un Q .www u I @AW nu B hmw NN Patented Nov. '15, 1943 UNITED STATE s PATEEN T vortica llerntenour VSHADE nouimie. Taylor and Robert aningman, Detroit, Mich., assignors to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Del-` n applicati@ .nine ai, 1942, serial Nagano' Y t claims. (c1. 16e-114i 'd This invention relates to-windo'w curtains and has particular referenceto acurtainV 'to be used l dcws andprevent the passage of light whileat' the same time permitting air tojpass in and/out of the building to give adequate ventilation; Completely to close awindow during a kblackout and not permit the passage of air is undesirable,

' and the thought of having a curtain which would be impervicusfto light and at the lsame time per;v mit ventilation of a room led to the'designof the y blackout curtain of the invention. A

The curtain itself comprises a plurality of zigzag shaped blades or shutters which in their po# Y sition of vuse or during a blackout are spaced from each' other for the entire length of the window and extend laterally from side to sidefof the window. The Vapices of one zigzag element or shutter extend into the anglesof the adjacent zigzag l elementV or shutter so that there isan overlap; By painting the zigzag elements black, the light from one side, even if very intense, will not be transmitted to the ,other'side In `other words,

the observer vfrom one side of theblackoutcurtain will be unable to see a light on the other Figure 2 vwith parts broken away better `to illustrate the construction. y v Figure 5 isa section onlthe line 5 5 oi Figure Ziwith parts broken away. f -Figures' and 'l are sectional detailed the corresponding lines'ofl Figure 4.'

Figure 8 isza View corresponding to Figurel of a modication. s

Figure 9 is a vperspective view of the end of a zigzag member of Figure 8. Y

'Referring to the drawings, the numeral 2 indicates any type `of building provided with an opening i in whichrthere isthe usual glass window (not shown). The outside of the building 2 at the windowopening 4 may be recessed as indicated at t for the Yreception of the blackout cur- The blackout curtain is built as a unit and may be applied to any window or tain or structure.

window opening and is held in place by suitable brackets i attached to the window opening and tothe frame it of the blackout curtain.

The blackout curtain vis indicated as a whole at 8 and includes the outer frame IS. The upper part 9 of the frame icomprises the center frame member l2, the outer frame Ymember I4, and the inner frame member It. These members are united many suitable way such' asby the bolts and nuts l 3. Iheupper` frame member 9 has secured thereto av two-part'frame memberZ) comprising the outer element 22 and the inner element 2li. lThe element 22 is secured to the inner frame bar I8 by means of the angle irons 26 and to use the blackout curtain, or at nighttime when itis not desired to use the curtain, it may be raised by lifting the lowermost element of the curtain and causing the successive `zigzag members to be picked up and nested at the top of the curtain. This will leave the window substantially unobstructed and move theV curtain out of the way. All of the zigzag elements or blades of the curtain are interconnected by a plurality of vfabric strips and this fabric folds when the curtain is raised. Y

On the drawings:

Figure lis a face view ofthe curtain positioned over a window and in the blackout position.

Figures 2 and 3 are enlarged sectional detailed views Von the line"22 of Figure 1 with parts lorc-V ken away andbetter toillustrate the construction. Figure 2 shows the curtainy inlowered posii tion, and Figure 3 in raised position. s Y' Figure 4 is a sectional view on the line 4-4 of Ythe Vscrews, 28, while the second frame element 2.4 is secured to the inner frame member I6 by means of the bolts and nuts S2. The lower part of this frame member 2i) iszigzag inshape as shown to conforrnto the zigzag'shapeof the individual blades or shutters 34 of the curtain.

The bottom member of the frame ofthe black-- out curtain is indicated at' 36. has secured thereto anouter member 38. Arunner @il is mounted in a groove in the top surface of the frame member 36 and this runner has inclined upper surfaces to fit into an inclined groove i2-formed in Va movable lower frame member 44 forming `a part `of the curtain. The mem,- ber 4d is in turn composed of an outer element 4t and an inner element V138 and these elements l and i8 are formed zigzag shape and com-V pleinentaryV to the zigzag shape of the upper frame element 2e. The zigzag shape of the lower frame member M is adaptable to the zigzag shape ofthe blades'or shutters 35k Y 1' rlfhe side members 50 of the framefor the curtain are channel shaped as is `best shown in Fig- Views on This member 35- ures 5 and 7. The channels 56 comprise the angle member 52 provided with a channel 54 at one of its upright ends. The second member of the channel 50 is indicated at 56 and co-mprises a box-like construction. This box-like construction is separable'from the angle-member 52 and is secured to the'angle member by means lof bolts 58 and nuts 60, the nuts 60 fitting into the channel 54. By loosening the nuts 60 and removing the bolts '53, the box-section construction 56 is removable from the angle iron 52. A

The box-sectioned construction 55 has anV inwardly projecting flange E2 and 'the angle .mem.

ber 52 has an inwardly projecting flange 64. These flanges 62 and 64 project toward each other V-'th'ereon the lo-wer movable frame member 44 of .the curtain will be raised and its ends slide in the 'channel 50 and as it moves upwardly it will successively pick up and nest each of the indi- V:vi'du'al zigzag shutters or blades 34 until the but their ends are spaced from'each other for a purpose which will later be described.

The blades or shutters 34 are zigzag shaped* to conform to the zigzag shape of the upperV framemember and the lower-frame member 44. These zigzag elements 34 maybe made of any suitable material such as cardboard, wood, or metal, and all are united at both sides by means ofthe flexible strips 66, fourgof which are used as shown in Figure l, but-.anysuitable and desired number may be used.

The lo-wer movable frame member 44 has secured thereto at each end, and projecting therefrom, a mounting bracket |58 which has thereon ani axle It on which'there is mounted a rotatable pulley 72. A retaining strap '|4 is mounted on the bracket 5S around the pulley 'i2 to hold a cord or cable in place. v

`The center element orslat 'i3 of each zigzag shutter 34 is longer than the two lateral elements or slats 13a and 13b. yThese longer elements'l project :laterally deeper into the channels of the .Y

sideframe members 50.' The ends of the members 'f3 lightly contact arblack felt strip 15 secured in the bottom of the channel. This construction eiectivelyprevents light from passing through the curtain at the side edges thereof.

' Similarly, the brackets S3 extend from the ends of theframe member 44 into the channel 50 while vthe frame member itself extends to the channel only. The width of each pulley l2 and its cord retaining strap 14 is greater thanvthe widthy of the space between adjacent edges of the flanges |52 and 6d. See Figure 7. The pulleys 72 will therefore travel up and down in the channels 5i! when the frame member 4s is moved. v On thefupper frame member 9 there is secured at one Yside a bracket l in which there isv turnably mounted on an axle 'i3 a pulley SEI. A se'cond pulley 82 is turnably mounted on and intermediatethe lengthofthe Vframe member 9, but closer to the opposite side and adjacent a third pulley 84 mounted on an axle 8,5 secured to a bracket 88 mounted to the frame member 9. A fourth pulley 89 is mounted at the extreme end of the framemember 9. A fifth or double pulley 9|) is mounted in a bracket secured to the frame member 9 between pulleys 84 and 89 and is so positioned that it will receive the cords 92 and 94 at each side ofthe curtain from the pulleys 84 andfS and guide them vthrough a tube 96 to i.the outside of the curtain. AThis structure is best shown in Figures 5 and 6.

The end 98 of the pull cord 94 is fastened by one of the bolts 32 as shown at |00 to the Vupper frame member 9 andthe en d |02 of the pull cord 92 isfastened by another of the bolts 32 as shown at |04 tothe upper frame member S. These cords are thenV trained in Va downward direction L around the'lower'pulleys l2 on the bracketstS extremity of the upward movement is reached. Y'

The position of 4the parts will then be as shown in Figure'B. The fabric strips 6B will fold as isr shown, (and all of the shutters will be nested into a compact position to leave the window open or unobstructed asyindicated at it. The cords may now 'be 'fastened to a suitable hoek (not shown) secured to the wall of Jthe building 2. This will hold the blackout vcurtain in' the upper position and allow a free access of light and air.

By releasing 'thecords `SE1 and 92 from their hook, the lower A'movableframe member 44 and theindividualV blades will drop by gravityrto'the lowered posi'tionasshown in Figures land 2', and in this position the 'blackout curtain 'may be latched or Alocked by means of a latch |10 best shown in Figures 2, '3, andfl. This'la'tch member |||l has the vhook |I2 'at its inner end which engages over a pin lill mounted' in the lower movable frame member 43. provided with a suitable recess |15 to enable' the hook 'H2 to swing over` and' away'fr'om the pin H4. The catch is j'ournaled in a' bearing |18 mounted in the lower stationary frame member 3B andthe outer part of the catch is provided` v'13b are differently formed or shaped in that all three are the same length and extend well toward the bottom of the'channel. The -ends are slightly tapered as is best seen at |22 in Figure 8, and a'tria-ngular piece |24 is inserted between therends of blades 1.3 andl 13b. This Apiece |24 may be secured in any suitable way such as by metal fasteners, stitching or the like. The tapered construction will readily allow the succeeding zigzagelements to nest when they are raised as shown in Figure v3 to expose the window.

The construction lof Figures `8 and 9 is preferred because it Yedect'ively excludesthe passage of -any light at the'curtain edges and is-more economical to construct.

We claim: l

l; In a blackout curtain for application to va window, a frame, a plurality of zigzag, shutter elements of light absorbing material mounted inthe frame, each element comprising at least three angularly related slats interconnected to prevent the Vpassage of light therethrough, means to interconnect the elements, said `elements being in spaced relationv when used asa blackout curtain to cover the window, a movable frame member at kthe bottom of the curtain, a p ull cord attached to said'm-ovableframe member'and adapted tobeoperatedto raise said frame member,

the operation of said cord causing the movable Y The frame'member Vis frame member successively to pick up the shutter close the endsv of the said velements to aid in preY venting' the passage of light. Y l

2. In a blackout curtainfor application to a window, a frame, a plurality of interconnected c zigzag shutter elements of light absorbing material supported in said frame, each element comprising at least three angularly related slats'interconnected to prevent theV passage of .light therethrough, said elements in their lowered position beingin spaced overlapping relation to prevent the passage of lighttherebetween, a deep channel at each side of the frame forming the frame sides, the endsV ofthe shutter elements extending deeply into the channel to closely adjacent the bottom thereof, 'a triangular piece connected to the ends of each shutter element partially to close the ends thereof and to cooperate with the channels to prevent the passage of light at the edge of the curtain, and means to enable the shutter elements tobe raised and nested at the top of the window to expose the Window opening.

3. In a Ventilating blackout curtain, for application to a window frame, having side members of a deep channel section, a plurality of interconnected shutter elements of light absorbing material of `Z section, each element having means at its ends to close one angle of the Z to prevent the passage of light, the ends of the shutter elements extending into the channels to prevent the passage of light at the edge of the curtain, said elements in their lowered position being in spaced overlapping relation to prevent the passage of light therebetween.

4. In a Ventilating blackout curtain, for application to a window frame, having side members of a deep channel section, a plurality of interconnected shutter elements of light absorbing sheet material forming a closed Z section of three angularly related surfaces, each element having closure means at its ends attached between two of the surfaces to close one angle of the Z to prevent the passage of light, the ends of the shutter elements extending into the channels to prevent the passage of light at theedg'e of the curtain, said elements in their lowered position being in spaced overlapping relation to prevent theV passage of light therebetween.

ROBERT E. BINGMAN. ROLLIN P. TAYLOR. 

